Conference

Day 2
Friday 25 September 2026

Asec. Romell Antonio O. Cuenca, Deputy Executive Director, Climate Change Commission (CCC), discussed the importance of integrating climate resilience into the built environment. He highlighted the Philippines’ exposure to climate risks, the implications for buildings and communities, and the role of national and local climate frameworks in guiding development. He also emphasized the need to move beyond reducing environmental impacts toward creating resilient and regenerative communities that respond to local climate conditions.

Session 5: Technological Innovations:
Advancing Smart and Low-Carbon Solutions for the Built Environment

Technology continues to transform how buildings are designed, operated, and managed, enabling smarter, more efficient, and lower-carbon solutions. As the industry advances toward a more regenerative future, technological innovations support more efficient resource use, improved operational performance, and data-driven decision-making. Emerging technologies also create opportunities to improve sustainability outcomes, occupant experience, and resilience.

The session highlighted digital solutions, smart technologies, data-driven systems, and other innovations that support energy efficiency, building performance, and resource management. Speakers shared how these technologies could be applied to buildings and communities to improve environmental performance, strengthen operational resilience, and create long-term value.

Mr. Jun Donomae, Senior Manager, Corporate Planning, AGC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (JASE-W), presented AGC’s approach to supporting building decarbonization through advanced glass technologies. He discussed the company’s sustainability commitments, the role of energy efficiency in achieving Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), and the application of high-performance glazing and Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems to reduce energy demand and generate renewable energy.

Ms. Yuko Matsushita, Deputy General Manager, Taisei Corporation Philippines Branch (JASE-W), presented Taisei Corporation’s experience in Zero Energy Building (ZEB) development, with a focus on the potential of existing-building retrofits. She provided an overview of Taisei and discussed how energy-efficient design, building systems, renewable energy, and smart controls could improve the performance of existing buildings.

Ms. Sally Muñoz, Head of Sales, Service & Modernization, KONE Philippines, highlighted how KONE supports building sustainability and decarbonization through energy-efficient vertical transportation technologies, AI-enabled predictive maintenance, modernization of existing systems, and life-cycle performance management, demonstrating how innovation, operational efficiency, and long-term maintenance can enhance the resilience and environmental performance of buildings.

Mr. Carlo F. Arcenal, Project-Based Specialty Sales Manager for ECOSIPS, Pioneer Adhesives, Inc., presented EcoSIPS, a structural insulated panel system designed to improve building performance and construction efficiency. He provided an overview of Pioneer Adhesives and introduced the system’s applications, technical characteristics, and potential benefits compared with conventional wall systems.

Session 6: Advancing Green Education: Shaping a Future-ready Green Workforce

As sustainability requirements, technologies, and regulations continue to evolve, education and capacity building play an important role in preparing current and future practitioners to lead the transformation of the built environment.

The session highlighted advances in green building education through research, academic partnerships, workforce development, and professional training. Speakers discussed how collaboration among educational institutions, industry, and professional organizations could help address knowledge and skills gaps while creating pathways for continuous learning and preparing practitioners for the green workforce.

Ms. Mylene D.G. Oliva, Program Head, Sustainability Management, Enderun Colleges, discussed how the institution prepares students for careers in the green workforce through sustainability-focused education, industry partnerships, professional training, and community engagement.

Ms. Marjorie Anne B. Gutierrez and Mr. Kyle Mamawal presented BIN-Go, an IoT-enabled waste management platform that enhances the accuracy, traceability, and transparency of waste reporting through real-time data capture, verification, and dashboard-based monitoring, reducing errors associated with manual waste recordkeeping and sustainability reporting.

Dr. Jared Aaron R. Cruz, Dean/Assistant Professor, College of Architecture and Sustainable Built Environments, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, discussed how public procurement could support sustainability and conservation objectives, particularly in built heritage and infrastructure projects. He examined the shift from procurement based primarily on upfront cost toward approaches that consider life-cycle value, sustainability, and long-term performance, as well as the institutional and market capacity needed to implement these approaches effectively.

Mr. Kalpa Madushanka, Birmingham City University, presented findings from his research on the barriers to adopting sustainable construction materials in the Philippines. Based on interviews with industry stakeholders, the study examined how perceptions of cost and risk, regulatory challenges, market demand, and product availability influence adoption. He also outlined policy and capacity-building measures that could help address these barriers.

Ms. Kyla Claire A. Biñas, Western Institute of Technology, presented her undergraduate civil engineering research on the use of Bacillus megatherium and Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) as a bio-based treatment for cracks in existing concrete. The study evaluated the treatment’s effects on compressive strength, flexural strength, water sorptivity, crack sealing, and the recovery of concrete properties.

Session 7: Unlocking Green Capital for the Built Environment

Sustainable finance plays a critical role in accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient built environment. As sustainability becomes increasingly integrated into investment decisions, access to capital can support green buildings, sustainable infrastructure, and urban development. Innovative financial solutions can help address market barriers, manage risks, and unlock projects that create long-term environmental, social, and economic value.

The session examined financial solutions and investment approaches that support sustainable development. Speakers from financial institutions discussed emerging trends, available funding pathways, and opportunities to mobilize capital for sustainable projects. The presentations provided insights into how financial solutions could support the delivery of high-performing, resilient, and regenerative buildings, districts, and cities.

Ms. Ellen Joyce L. Suficiencia, Director, BSP Sustainability Office, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, discussed the role of the financial sector in supporting climate-resilient buildings and housing. She explained how climate-related damage to buildings can translate into financial risks for property owners, borrowers, lenders, and the broader financial system. She also presented BSP’s sustainable finance initiatives, including frameworks for identifying adaptation and resilience investments, efforts to strengthen the evidence base for resilient buildings, and measures being explored to encourage financing for sustainable and climate-resilient housing.

Mr. Ronaldo R. Averion, Assistant Vice President, Head of Program, Management Department II, Landbank of the Philippines, discussed the role of financing in turning sustainable development concepts into viable projects. He explained that green technologies and sound engineering alone are not enough to secure financing. Projects also need clear implementation plans, reliable repayment sources, appropriate risk management, and financing structures that align with their technical and financial characteristics. He also presented LANDBANK’s Renewable Energy Plus (RE+) Lending Program and the factors financial institutions consider when evaluating sustainable investments.

Mr. Rustico Noli D. Cruz, Vice President and Officer-In-Charge, Program Development and Management Group, Development Bank of the Philippines, presented the Development Bank of the Philippines’ (DBP) role in financing sustainable and climate-resilient development. He discussed DBP’s development mandate, the Energy Efficiency Savings Enhancing Program (ESEEP), access to international climate finance through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the opportunities and challenges involved in financing green projects.

Session 8: Building Resilience for a Changing Future

Building resilience requires coordinated action across leadership, finance, technology, data, and governance. Together, these elements enable communities to anticipate, withstand, adapt to, and recover from evolving climate and development challenges.

Anchored in the WorldGBC Resilience Framework, the session examined how buildings and cities could strengthen resilience through strategies that addressed the full life cycle of the built environment. Speakers discussed practical approaches, including climate risk assessment, passive and climate-responsive design, nature-based solutions, and circularity. They also explored how resilient construction, infrastructure, and urban planning could reduce vulnerability and strengthen communities’ capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related disruptions.

Mr. Stefano Tronci, Associate Principal – Asia Pacific Sustainability Lead, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, presented how resilience, sustainability, and user experience could be integrated into architecture and urban planning. Drawing on projects in the Philippines and across Asia, he discussed how transit-oriented planning, green infrastructure, climate-responsive design, passive strategies, and nature-based solutions could help buildings and communities respond to climate risks while creating more livable urban environments.

Dr. Marlon de Luna Era, Chairperson, Department of Innovation and Sustainability Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences, De La Salle University, and President Emeritus, Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines, presented a social science perspective on resilience and emphasized that sustainable development also needs to consider how buildings, infrastructure, and communities perform during disruptions. He discussed the relationship among hazards, vulnerability, exposure, and institutional capacity; the social dimensions of resilience; and the need to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation into planning, design, financing, and governance.

Dr. Renan Ma. T. Tanhueco, Vice Chair for Program Development, Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, discussed resilience from the perspective of disaster risk reduction and urban development. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, he emphasized the distinction between sustainability and resilience and highlighted the importance of risk-informed planning, continuity of critical services, disaster resilience measures, and coordinated action in strengthening buildings, infrastructure, and communities.

Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, Chairman and Principal Urban Planner, CONCEP, Inc., presented an urban planning perspective on community resilience, emphasizing that resilience needs to extend beyond individual buildings to neighborhoods, infrastructure, essential services, and communities. He discussed how climate-responsive planning, nature-based solutions, social inclusion, and collaborative governance can help communities prepare for, withstand, adapt to, and recover from climate-related shocks and stresses.

Arch. Cathy Saldana, Principal and CEO, PDP+ Architects and PDP + Architecture, presented a design and planning perspective on building resilience through blue and green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and collaborative governance. She discussed how water-sensitive planning, ecosystem protection, community engagement, and data-driven approaches could help the Philippines respond to climate risks while creating more sustainable and livable communities.

Closing

Ms. Audrey Belle Po, Co-Conference Chair of BG2026, Member of PHILGBC Board of Trustees, and Operations Manager of World Home Depot Corporation, expressed her appreciation to the participants, speakers, partners, strategic partners, and other stakeholders for their time, insights, participation, and support throughout BG2026. She recognized their contributions and collaboration in making the two-day conference a platform for sharing knowledge and advancing discussions on a sustainable, resilient, and regenerative built environment.

Page updated

Report abuse